Organic is win-win for everyone. Customers love it, ecologically responsible mills get rewarded, organic farms profit and I get to feel good about the fabric I use. - Tierra Forte, founder and designer of Del Forte Denim
Ah, denim - the “all-American classic.” I don’t mean to take attention off of the entire world’s love of this versatile wardrobe staple, but denim has a special place in the heart of most U.S. citizens. Now that “conventional” cotton has been widely outed as one of the most chemically-intensive crops around, finding organic cotton denim is Operation Numero Uno for sustainable fashion fans. Having personally tried on over 50% of the organic, fair trade brands on the market today, I can easily say that Del Forte Denim is my perennial favorite.
Made from Texas-grown organic cotton in Texas and Los Angeles factories, Del Forte Denim is the epitome of U.S. production. Most sustainable brands use eco-fabrics grown and woven in China, Turkey, Egypt and other foreign countries. Keeping production more local helps to reduce the carbon impact of the entire brand and stands as a shining example of what eco-success can be. Del Forte is also a proud member of the Sustainable Cotton Project, helping to “educate farmers, agricultural students and the general public on ways to increase the sustainability of farms and supports those farmers who are sustainable and/or organic.”
After beginning her design career in New York City in 1999, Del Forte founder and designer Tierra Forte returned to her home state of California to start her own line of luxury organic denim in 2005. In the short time that Del Forte Denim has been on the shelves, the brand has firmly established itself as one of the most reliable and stylish choices for women of all creeds and colors. “I wanted to achieve my dream of creating my own premium denim line while protecting the environment and the farmers,” says Tierra. Having been featured in magazines such as People, Vogue, Nylon and Glamour, it is clear that even the fashion kings and queens are fans of Del Forte.
Del Forte as gone a step beyond using sustainable fabrics by creating Project ReJEANeration. After accepting worn-out Del Forte jeans (whether or not they accept other brands is not know to me) and giving the gracious donater a 10% discount off their next pair, Tierra and her crew turn the previously loved pieces into new items for sale on the company’s website and at San Francisco green fashion shop, Eco Citizen. On top of that, Tierra also runs a green office out of the East Bay of San Francisco, prints all hang-tags and company promo materials on New Leaf post-consumer recycled paper using vegetable-based inks, and uses a green online host for their website.
Why is Del Forte my favorite denim brand? Two words: flattering fit. As a curvy, 1950s-esque woman, finding clothes that fit is not easy when most things are designed for the stick-straight 1% of the population. No matter your shape or style, Del Forte has a piece to fit you. As of late, the Willow cut (shown in the very first, left side image) is my primo pair. I’ve always been a fan of 1970s high waist jeans and how powerful they make me feel - now I can indulge and stay green at the same time! You’ll often find me roaming around San Francisco in them, so say HI if you see me. 
What’s next for Del Forte Denim? If the October 2007 Portland Fashion Week show is any hint, we may just be seeing organic cotton tops, jackets and … corsets!
[Images courtesy of Del Forte Denim, featuring Stewart+Brown tops]
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